Maybank was founded by Malaysian business tycoon Khoo Teck Puat (who died in 2004) & Oei Tjong Ie, son of Chinese-Indonesian Conglomerate Oei Tiong Ham. The company was led by President and CEO Amirsham Abdul Aziz from 2002 until March 2008 after which he was appointed Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in-charge of the Economic Planning Unit, a post he held until April 2009. Dato' Sri Abdul Wahid Omar was President & CEO of Maybank Group from May 2008 to June 2013. On 2 August 2013, Datuk Abdul Farid Alias, Maybank's Deputy President and Head of Global Banking, was appointed as President & CEO of Maybank Group.

1960 – The bank was formed and founded by Malaysian business tycoon Khoo Teck Puat with a few partners in Kuala Lumpur. The bank grew rapidly to more than 150 branches within 3 years. In 1963, the bank purchased Goodwood Park Hotel, Singapore for $4.8 million.It was known as "Malayan Banking Ltd."

2010 – Introduced a Dividend Reinvestment Plan, the first Malaysian company to do so.

2011 – Acquired 100.0% of Kim Eng Holdings Limited. The acquisition was completed in August 2011 through a general offer for the remaining shares after completing the purchase of 44.6% in May 2011 and 5.6% stake in January 2011.

In Malaysia, Maybank operates consumer, business and corporate banking as well as private banking services, through a network of 393 branch offices and more than 2,500 automated teller machines around the country. The company operates 22 branches in Singapore providing a full range of banking and financial products and services. Maybank, through Maybank Philippines Incorporated, has 79 branches in the Philippines. Maybank also has a banking presence in all of the other Southeast Asian markets. It also operates branches major global financial centres like New York, London, Hong Kong and Bahrain.

Maybankard credit card was launched in October 1997 with blue and gold color. The first product is Maybankard MasterCard and Maybankard VISA in April 1998.

Maybankard got the Rookie Award from VISA Int'l in 2000 with the category "The fastest growing card on Asia during the 1998-1999 period", and Quantum Leap from 2001 to 2002 also from VISA Int'l and the 5th best credit card on the world.